Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The friendship experiment
Erin Teagan
The friendship experiment
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Erin Teagan
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The hum of lockers slamming and the chatter of new classmates fill the air as Madeline steps into sixth grade. Her carefully planned world, once as predictable as a science experiment, suddenly feels messy and confusing. Can Madeline discover the secret to fixing her tangled middle school life?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Madeline, a young aspiring scientist, as she navigates the challenges of starting sixth grade and adjusting to new social dynamics. The story thoughtfully explores themes of friendship, family, and the ups and downs of middle school life, making it suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the realistic depiction of school experiences without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated The friendship experiment 9LE
The friendship experiment is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 740L across 244 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The friendship experiment works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The friendship experiment as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The friendship experiment explores friendship, family, schools, and science & nature — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, schools.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780544636224
- Pages
- 244
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 740L